‘Make a Move!’ is a dedicated sports and activities day organised for children and young people who have been treated for cancer and blood disorders, under the care of Bristol Children’s Hospital. Kate Millar, paediatric physiotherapist at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, tells us more.
Last September, we organised our first ’Make a Move!’ event at the University of Bath (Team Bath), in partnership with our dedicated charity, The Grand Appeal. Our aim was to create a fun day that promoted physical activity for young people under the care of the oncology or haematology teams at Bristol. We were joined by amazing local charities, volunteers, sports clubs and national sports personalities who provided inspiration and information on what our young people could access in their local area.
About Make a Move!
The day was inspired by the successful oncology sports days that had been held by Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and Sheffield Children’s Hospital. After moving to Bristol, Sarah Cowan, who had been involved in setting up ’Get Active!’ at GOSH, sparked the idea of us running a similar day for patients in the South West. Due to the diversity of patients under our care, we invited patients with benign haematological conditions to join us as well.
Being physically active is an important aspect in the treatment and management of oncological and haematological conditions. It also gives many young people a focus away from their medical condition and an environment to meet new people. We wanted to create a day that gave young people the opportunity to experience a wide variety of sports and give families a chance to meet outside of hospital. Our main objective was that the day, and being active, was fun and enjoyable.
The day began with a motivational speech from Paralympic medallist Dimitri Coutya, followed by a warm-up by the wonderful inclusive dance community, Flamingo Chicks. Patients and their families were then free to try out the 22 different sports and activities available, from a climbing wall and wheelchair basketball to dance, indoor skeleton, frame running and golf. It was incredible to see everyone taking part and with the amazing support of Team Bath, local charities and sports clubs, we ensured that there were activities accessible for all ages and abilities. Team Bath also provided us with invaluable support in the form of sports coaches and Olympic athletes who inspired many of our patients. There was also lots of music, face painting, smoothie bikes and glitter, helping to add to the cheer and positivity and make the occasion a memorable one for all.
The event also gave hospital staff who volunteered the opportunity to catch up with patients away from the clinical setting.
One said:
As a volunteer it was amazing to see children enjoying sports that they may never have otherwise had the chance to do. It was nice for staff to spend time with patients that they may not have seen for a long time and watch them doing so well. It was a really positive experience for everyone involved.
Make a Move! was kindly funded by the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity and The Grand Appeal, and supported by Team Bath, local sports clubs, charities, businesses and the incredible staff from the oncology and haematology teams who volunteered to help organise and support the day.
Back for 2023
Following on from the success of Make a Move! 2022, planning is underway for our next sports day in September. This will again be in partnership with The Grand Appeal, while many of the fantastic sports clubs and charities that came last year will be back again, along with some exciting new additions!
Find out more information about the day
From Contact magazine issue 99 - Summer 2023
